This course introduces students to the analysis of various metaphysical and epistemological questions and problems in philosophy, typically including, the nature and limits of knowledge, the existence of God, the Mind-Body Problem, the Freedom vs. Determination debate, and the Absolutism vs. Relativism debate. Related topics in ethics may also be included.

2941 8:00a-9:20a TTh HSS 151 Kamler H F

2942 8:00a-9:20a TTh MC 1 Quesada D M

Above section 2942 will focus on the special topic of Philosophy in Film.

This course provides an introduction to the nature of ethical theory (moral philosophy), an analysis of significant ethical theories, and an exploration of the problems encountered in the continuing quest for a satisfactory ethical theory for contemporary society. Some of the main topics in normative ethics and meta-ethics are covered.

This historical introduction to philosophy traces the development of Western philosophy from the early Greeks through the Middle Ages. The ideas which have influenced the development of Western culture are emphasized.

This course is a philosophic examination of major ethical debates in contemporary American society. Topics may include capital punishment, abortion, euthanasia, racial and sexual equality, affirmative action, sexual morality, pornography, “victimless crimes,” bio-medical research, animal rights, and environmental issues. Preparatory to those investigations, time is devoted to studying some of the most important moral theories and various types of moral reasoning.

2961 3:45p-5:05p MW HSS 150 Stramel J S

Above section 2961 will focus on the special topic of human sexuality.

This course satisfies the Santa Monica College Global Citizenship requirement.

This course introduces the field of environmental ethics with an emphasis on global environmental problems and global citizenship. The conceptual foundations of environmental attitudes and values are examined through an historical survey of philosophies of nature and human/nature relations. Ethical theories are presented and used to analyze contemporary environmental problems, e.g. mistreatment of animals, pollution, climate change, species extinction, natural resource depletion, environmental racism etc. The ethical assumptions underlying various national and international responses to environmental problems will be analyzed and evaluated.

PHILOS 20 is the same course as ENVRN 20. Students may earn credit for one but not both.

The cultural settings and basic concepts of the major philosophical and religious systems of India, China, and Japan are studied. Rituals and literature are used to compare and contrast Asian and non-Asian belief systems.

This is an introduction to several traditional philosophical problems connected with religious belief. Among the issues to be discussed are the existence and nature of God, the problem of evil, the mysticism, the rationality of religious belief, and the relationship between reason and revelation.

A philosophical inquiry into themes such as knowledge, truth, justice, freedom, responsibility, love, technology, punishment, self-deception, death, religious faith, and the meaning of life through the examination of selected literary works (novels, short stories, plays, poetry). The course will also focus on certain philosophical issues relevant to the philosophy of literature (ie, how humans emotionally relate to fictional characters, interpretation and artistic intention in literary art, how literature is to be defined, the status of truth in literature).

This interdisciplinary course in philosophy and political science examines arguments and discourses developed within contemporary political thought. How those discourses critique and/or are rooted in modern ideologies, such as liberalism and socialism will be considered. The theoretical perspectives presented in the course will be used to critically examine important issues in contemporary politics.

Philosophy 52 is the same course as Political Science 52. Students may earn credit for one, but not both.